Amid international news stories chronicling the effectiveness of missile defense in saving lives, Huntsville Alabama-based nLogic had a lot to celebrate in August 2014. The 5-year-old provider of high-technology services to aerospace and defense customers had just moved into its new headquarters in Cummings Research Park and learned that it was once again listed among the Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Private U.S. Companies.

Maintaining the pace of growth to be on the Inc. 5000 list for five consecutive years would be difficult enough for any company, but is especially so considering the marketplace in which nLogic competes. “The government services market is severely challenged to provide highly skilled technical talent at increasingly lower costs,” says Tim Thornton, CEO and President. “With so much riding on the work we do, our employees remain focused on our mission to provide excellent support to clients with a key attention to reasonable cost.”

nLogic supports customers in the development and sustainment of systems including command and control, sensors, missiles, aviation, unmanned systems and space systems. The innovative staff provides products and services in the areas of system engineering, modeling and simulation, software lifecycle, test and evaluation, logistics, IT and system security to the government and prime contractors. Their work supports the space launch system that will carry astronauts to asteroids and beyond, to Mars.

On Path to Prime
nLogic was formed in 2009, by an employee-led buyout of Torch Systems. An Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and Incentive Stock Option Plan (ISOP) keep the company firmly in the hands of employees with no intentions for acquisitions.

The company more than doubled its revenues between 2010 and 2013, from $6.7 million to $14.5 million, receiving approximately $100 million in contracts from the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Special Operations, General Services Administration, Missile Defense Agency, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and prime contractors in the private sector. It enlarged its presence from Redstone Arsenal to include locations at Arnold Air Force Base, Tennessee; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Vandenberg Air Force Base, California; Fort Greely, Alaska; and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

nLogic’s performance and employee-centric business model have earned the company industry attention. It was the 2014 winner of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award; a 2012 and 2013 Finalist for the North Alabama Better Business Bureau Marketplace Ethics Award; a 2012 and 2013 Inc. Hire Power Award recipient; among Principal Financial’s 10 Best Companies for 2012; a Boeing Performance Excellence Award winner for five years; and a recipient of the Northrop Grumman Performance Excellence Award in 2012. nLogic employees give back to the community through nLogic nAbles, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that awards monetary grants to worthy community causes.

“Our company is on a trajectory for continued growth,” says Thornton. “Our proven record places us in a very strong position to pursue more prime contracts to achieve annual revenue valued at over $50 million. We are continuously expanding the range of services we offer and broadening our clientele.”

In 2013, Alabama businessman Raymond Harbert pledged $40 million to the College of Business at Auburn University to help the nationally ranked institution become the best it could be. Today, the college continues to strengthen its position as a leader in business education through its exceptional MBA programs.

For recent college graduates looking for business expertise to seasoned executives looking to further their careers, the Raymond J. Harbert College of Business offers a portfolio of high-quality MBA programs that combine excellence and innovation at an affordable price.

Array of Options
Harbert College of Business Dean Bill Hardgrave says he and his staff work diligently to ensure they deliver value with their MBAs.

“We are consistently ranked among the top business schools in the nation in terms of the price of the program versus the return students get when they graduate,” he says.

The college offers several MBA programs to accommodate students from across the nation with varying levels of professional experience.

The traditional, full-time MBA program is a face-to-face experience designed primarily for recent college graduates or those without extensive work experience looking to switch to or further their business education.

The online MBA delivers the same experience via classroom lectures recorded in real time and delivered to students electronically. Used primarily by more mature students with slightly more work experience, it’s ideal for those who want to earn their MBAs at their own pace.

To round out the offerings, the college also offers an executive MBA program designed for seasoned professionals with a minimum of eight years of work experience that’s delivered through a unique blend of online lectures and in-class time.

“Students come to campus one week each semester for a very intense face-to-face experience, and the remainder of the semester is conducted online,” Hardgrave explains.

Leading Edge
The blended learning model is just one example of the innovative elements the school incorporates into each of its programs. Another is a requirement that all MBA students take an international studies trip accompanied by faculty members.

“We pride ourselves on being very innovative in both the content of our programs as well as their delivery,” Hardgrave says.

It’s all part of the college’s efforts to continue to build on excellence in business education for students, professionals and thought leaders nationwide.

“In an era where people are questioning whether MBA programs are too expensive or worth the effort, we’ve put together a program that delivers significant value to the student at a price that’s still accessible,” Hardgrave says.

The Culverhouse College of Commerce at The University of Alabama is preparing the next generation of business leaders today to meet tomorrow’s challenges of a rapidly changing global economy. And we’re leading the way with our innovative, rigorous and nationally recognized curriculum like the first-of-its-kind STEM Path to the MBA program.

Students majoring in science, technology, engineering or math earn an MBA in one additional year at the Manderson Graduate School of Business — all while acquiring the communication, leadership, decision-making and business analytics skills needed to thrive in today’s competitive world.

A retired nurse, recently widowed, was understandably concerned about her financial future. Her late husband had always handled their investments. Now that he was gone, she had no idea what was in her brokerage accounts. She turned to Florida-based Mainstay Financial Group for help.

“I analyzed her portfolios and discovered she was at far too much risk for her age,” says Mainstay founder and President Annalee Leonard. “I repositioned her assets into safer investments. If I had not done that, she would have lost 55 percent in the stock market disaster of 2008. Today she is living independently and has more money than when she started.”

Every situation is different and requires a unique strategy, but all of Mainstay’s clients receive the same individualized level of attention from trusted advisors who genuinely care about their financial well-being.

“Once they reach a certain age, clients need a specialist to handle specific needs,” Leonard says. “Most financial professionals are very good at the accumulation stage—saving and making money grow—but many have not educated themselves on asset preservation and use. Mainstay works with clients to develop realistic plans to make money last as long as they do.”

Objective and Focused
With offices in Pensacola, Florida, and Mobile, Alabama, Mainstay offers objective advice, often in consultation with clients’ other advisors such as tax attorneys and CPAs. When necessary, Mainstay refers clients to members of a local alliance of various senior-oriented professionals who share the firm’s commitment to integrity and service.

A believer in education, Leonard was inspired to go into retirement planning after losing her father while still a young woman. As a result of poor estate planning, her family was split by the deeds of one greedy sibling.

“My mission is to educate, enlighten and empower people,” she says. “I want to help families avoid what mine went through.”

Leonard is the only member of the highly respected Ed Slott Master Elite IRA Advisor Group between Tallahassee and New Orleans, which means she meets an exceptionally high standard of knowledge concerning retirement distribution planning. She hosts the talk program Winning With Annalee on WNRP 1620 AM in Pensacola, which airs each Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. She teaches classes in retirement planning at several community colleges, volunteers as a mentor for women who are starting financial planning businesses and is the author of It’s More Than Returns: Getting to the Heart of Retirement Planning.

“I love helping people put the pieces of their financial puzzle together so they can sleep better at night,” Leonard says.

Many new businesses spend their first few years building a foundation for future success. Others, like the Wiregrass Group at Morgan Stanley, hit the ground running.

With a diverse client roster that includes high-net-worth individuals, families, medical professionals, business owners and retirees, this Dothan, Ala.-based financial advisory team—on the eve of its third anniversary—has already grown to six members collectively managing over $375 million in client assets (as of July 2013). As its momentum continues to build, the Wiregrass Group’s upcoming move to its newly constructed office will be a welcome development.

It will also mark a change in course. According to Vice President and Wealth Advisor C. Thomas Lee, CFP®, a more fundamental transition is underway at the Wiregrass Group—one that has already begun to pay huge dividends. “We are working toward a more effective asset management model—100 percent discretion, or the authority to make decisions on clients’ behalf—to better suit increasing market complexities.”

Poised and Ready to Confront Market Volatility
The traditional brokerage model for managing client portfolios requires preapproval from clients for every strategic investment decision. That process can take time. But markets won’t wait.

“The discretionary model saves critical time,” Lee explains. “It has allowed us to become more efficient; we have the freedom to make decisions and act on them in a timely way, which is essential to navigating today’s market environment and controlling volatility within portfolios.”
The Wiregrass Group’s clients, Lee adds, are fully on board. “People lead busy lives. They are less interested in the day-to-day investment details than they are in knowing their money is in good hands. Our relationships are founded on trust, so clients understand that helping to protect their wealth is our foremost priority.”

Well-Rounded Team With a Holistic View
The Wiregrass Group is a diverse team of financial professionals—including CPAs, CFP®s, and insurance and banking veterans—whose varied backgrounds allow them to address each aspect of clients’ financial lives while collectively developing comprehensive, long-term strategies.

“The world is just too complex for the single practitioner hoping to be a go-to advisor for every financial piece,” Lee says. “Here, there is strength in numbers. We have the intellectual capacity of six seasoned professionals, plus the research and resources of Morgan Stanley and many other external partners. When it comes to preserving our clients’ wealth, we use all the information we can get.”

The individuals mentioned as the Portfolio Management Team are Financial Advisors with Morgan Stanley participating in the Morgan Stanley Portfolio Management program. The Portfolio Management program is an investment advisory program in which the client’s Financial Advisor invests the client’s assets on a discretionary basis in a range of securities. The Portfolio Management program is described in the applicable Morgan Stanley ADV Part 2, available at www.morgan stanley.com/ADV or from your Financial Advisor. C. Thomas Lee, CFP® is a Wealth Advisor with the Wealth Management division of Morgan Stanley in Dothan, Alabama. The views expressed herein are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, Member SIPC, www.sipc.org. Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors have engaged EMI Network Inc. to feature this promotion in Forbes magazine. C. Thomas Lee may only transact business in states where he is registered or excluded or exempted from registration, http://brokercheck.finra.org/Search/Search.aspx. Transacting business, follow-up and individualized responses involving either effecting or attempting to effect transactions in securities, or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, will not be made to persons in states where C. Thomas Lee is not registered or excluded or exempt from registration. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be suitable for all investors.Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S.

The attorneys of McDowell Knight Roedder & Sledge, LLC may have torn a page out of Roman Emperor Hadrian’s military tactical plan. “Peace through strength” is their winning strategy that has produced impressive outcomes in high-stakes litigation for many of their business clients.

Formed in 1997, McDowell Knight built its reputation as hard-working trial lawyers defending major corporations in cases ranging from products liability to nationwide class actions. “Trying complex litigation is at the heart of who we are,” says Partner Archie Reeves.

“We’re not just litigators,” adds Partner Russel Myles. “Litigators spend a lot of time at their desks. Our trial teams are in court confronting witnesses and dealing with judges and juries on a regular basis. From the moment we accept a case, nearly everything we do is with an eye toward trying the case to a jury. That’s the advantage we have over litigators.”

And that competitive advantage has not gone unnoticed. Many of the McDowell Knight lawyers are recognized as fellows and members of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and the American Board of Trial Advocates, invitation-only organizations with the most rigorous standards.

Litigation — the Great Business Distraction
In the past decade, the McDowell Knight trial experience has been used as an effective tool in dealing with a growing number of commercial and business-to-business litigation matters. Many of the Firm’s lawyers have practices rooted in banking, venture capital, real estate development, bankruptcy and intellectual property concerns. That diversity of talent, coupled with its vast trial experience, allows the Firm to bring a unique, innovative approach to resolving commercial and business disputes.

“Litigation is a distraction to businesses and a drain on resources. We know that. Our goal is to get the right result for the client – always, whether in the courtroom or at the settlement table,” says Reeves.

“We don’t lose sight of the fact that the cases we handle affect how our clients operate and compete in their markets,” explains Myles. “We measure our success by how well we help clients further their business goals. We know our clients are not in business to litigate, so we work hard to help them avoid litigation if possible. We’ve learned along the way, however, that good settlements are much more likely when your opponent knows you’re 100 percent ready to try the case.”

Who can forget the tornadoes that ripped through Alabama on April 27, 2011?

Not the dozens of families across the state who lost loved ones that day. And not the three Cullman County poultry farmers whose family farms were destroyed by the storms. Their story, fortunately, had a happy ending, thanks to the attorneys of Griffith, Little & Lowry. The firm stepped in when their insurance companies sought to deny coverage for their losses, obtaining a confidential settlement on the farmers’ behalf. “They could have lost their livelihoods,” says senior partner Stephen K. Griffith. “We couldn’t allow that to happen.”

With 60 years of combined experience, the three attorneys of Griffith, Little & Lowry have helped hundreds of individuals, families and businesses that have been harmed by the actions of others – from a woman who suffered a disabling stroke after receiving a double dose of her blood-thinning medication, to the family of a man who was shot and killed by a robber while a guest at a local motel, to a home-improvement store employee who was badly injured en route to a job, to a businessman who was defrauded by his partners.

Aggressive and Compassionate
The lawyers, who have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for their clients, take pride in their ability to solve the most complex challenges and problems. They start by listening closely to clients in order to understand exactly how they’ve been harmed, whether physically, emotionally or financially.

“Our clients have been injured by individuals, corporations, insurance companies and other third parties,” says partner Trent Lowry. “By drivers who were texting, eating or not following the rules of the road. By defective products or drugs. While in a hospital or nursing home. On the job or just walking down the street. However they were injured, our clients can count on us to represent them aggressively and compassionately.”

While most cases are settled out of court, every case is prepared for trial, with attention to the smallest detail. As a result, says partner Zeb Little, when a case does go to trial, the firm and its client usually win.

“Every case is a story about how someone has been hurt or injured, and we spend a great deal of time preparing to tell that story to a judge or jury as effectively as possible,” he explains. “We fight hard for our clients, whether in the courtroom or at the negotiating table. We care about our clients, and we get results.”

A businessman with two children began to be concerned about his advancing age. He owned substantial assets including interests in rental property, partnerships, limited liability companies and corporations. He came to see the boutique law firm of Moses & Moses, P.C. to determine how he could protect his assets for his children and care for himself.

With M&M’s help, partnership, shareholder and operating agreements were prepared and negotiated, tax-effective transfers of interests were made, and a third-party special-needs trust was established. The client achieved his goal of protecting his assets for his children while being assured that he would have sufficient assets to meet his needs.

Individuals and businesses alike need to plan to protect or grow their assets and assure long-term viability. M&M helps its clients navigate the treacherous legal waters to achieve both.

“Many entrepreneurs have never done estate planning, or they fail to upgrade their estate and business plans as their situations change or other needs arise,” says founder Anne Moses. “With changes in tax regulations, Medicare, Medicaid and the economy in general, it is especially important for seniors and their families to think ahead. Whatever the issues, we care deeply about our clients and take care of them as if they are part of our family.”

Anne is one of just four Certified Elder Law Attorneys in Alabama, a peer-recognized Super Lawyer™ and a former president of the Estate Planning Council of Birmingham. An expert in the unique legal and financial issues facing senior citizens and their families, she was inspired to serve seniors after seeing the challenges her mother faced when her father died when she was 15.

Partner Charles H. Moses, III, LLM (in Taxation) says, “We provide the experience and expertise of a large firm, but with the personal attention and knowledge to solve problems more efficiently. Whether dealing with health care, technology, professionals or manufacturing entities, we love finding creative, strategic solutions to help our clients’ businesses achieve their goals. Assisting a company from start-up to major success through growth and expansion, or developing the structure and plan that aids a 4th generation company continue its business is a special opportunity we appreciate having.”

Moses & Moses provides a unique opportunity for families and businesses to rely on experienced, committed professionals to provide strategic legal solutions to their issues and plan for the future they want – efficiently and effectively.

Melton, Espy & Williams, P.C., is a small law firm that separates itself from others by providing premier, quality legal services for every kind of case. Today, most law firms specialize in certain areas of the legal field. However, Melton, Espy & Williams excels as a generalist, and the foundation of its practice is built on the substantial depth and breadth of litigation experience each attorney brings to the table. The firm has represented an array of clients in virtually every court in the State of Alabama, both state and federal, as well as before numerous administrative and licensing agencies.

“Whether it’s a professional or personal matter, medical-legal, complicated business litigation, white-collar crime, civil litigation, campaign finance and ethics, health care licensing – if you’ve got a case, we will work with you to get the best possible outcome – whether it is by trial, mediation or appeal,” says Joe Espy, who brings nearly four decades of proficiency into the courtroom. “We practice in a wide range of areas, and we provide a high level of legal service.”

The attorneys of Melton, Espy & Williams are high-caliber professionals committed to their community and to the legal profession. The senior member of the firm is a former President of the Alabama State Bar; three of the members have served on the governing/disciplinary body of the State Bar; two firm members are former presidents of the local Montgomery Bar; and Espy serves on the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama System. The three senior members of the firm (Melton, Espy and Williams) have been elected by their peers to membership into the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the most prestigious organizations for trial lawyers; and the firm has been awarded an AV rating by its peers in Martindale-Hubbell®.

At any given time, when you read or hear local (and sometimes national) news, you will see and hear the name of Melton, Espy & Williams because the attorneys in this firm are not afraid of a fight. Attorney Jim Williams says, “Our philosophy is, number one, if we take the case, we give it our all. And number two, we treat people like we want to be treated. We follow the rules both of the court and professional conduct, and we make sure we have considered every option for the good of our clients.” The legal team of Melton, Espy & Williams has been involved in litigating many of the landmark and precedent-setting cases in the State of Alabama.

The first clue to the strong legal representation a client gets from Briskman & Binion, P.C. may be its address. The practice is housed in a renovated historic 1840s-vintage building directly across the street from the Courthouse at 205 Church Street in Mobile, Alabama. That is the firm’s only office, and it is positioned to serve clients throughout South Alabama.

“The courthouse is where we find ourselves much of the time,” says Mack Binion, co-founder of the five-attorney practice. “We are a litigation firm and love what we do.”

What they do is take on cases in a tremendous range of areas and apply a remarkable depth of experience and talent on behalf of each client. The background Binion and practice co-founder Donald M. Briskman bring is substantial – this year, the firm is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The firm’s other attorneys, Charles Potts, Sarah Dorger and Joshua Briskman, are also highly accomplished. All are AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell®, and the firm is included in the Martindale-Hubbell® Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers and numerous other legal rating services.

“When we say litigation, we project to a trial,” Binion says. “Our adversaries know we will go to trial, and for our client, that has beneficial effects throughout the litigation process. It affects settlement; it affects how discovery proceeds; it affects every aspect of a case.”

Many of the firm’s cases are business-related. Dorger says representation of business clients often involves complex litigation, with the issues ranging from contract, to tort to insurance law. “Business clients can face significant events which affect their operations and sometimes even their ability to remain open. When that happens, litigation is sometimes the only way to champion the client’s cause, so we strive for effective advocacy and cost-conscious economies of scale.”

Donald Briskman has handled hundreds of cases, some local and many higher profile – the Sunset Limited train crash and the HealthSouth litigation are examples – working in such areas as white-collar criminal defense and wrongful death.

Briskman & Binion represents both defendants and plaintiffs. “A lot of firms are pigeonholed as a defense or a plaintiff’s firm. The fact that we’re sometimes one, sometimes the other, gives us a unique and distinct perspective and thus an advantage for the client,” says Binion.

“When we say general litigation, it’s very much the truth. We tell the client if necessary we will take it to trial.”

In business and politics, disputes can have unforeseen, far-reaching consequences on economic development, jobs, tax revenues and more. The right representation by lawyers who are experienced in the public and private sectors is critical to achieving a positive outcome.

For 35 years, Waldrep Stewart & Kendrick LLC has been one of Alabama’s leading law firms specializing in governmental, business, litigation, public and private finance, and estate matters. Clients include companies, municipalities, public agencies, educational institutions and individuals.

The lawyers in the firm are results-oriented, always seeking to find the most thoughtful and economical resolution for the client. With 18 lawyers and more than 20 support staff from a wide range of professional backgrounds, the firm has the experience needed to guide clients through almost any circumstances involving finance, business or government.

Partner Charlie Waldrep was the chief of staff for former Alabama Governor Jim Folsom. Other members of the firm have also worked in government, and are particularly knowledgeable about the legislative process. WSK has successfully represented many businesses before state and local licensing and zoning boards. In some cases, WSK has helped draft legislation.

Opportunities in Unlikely Places
Lately, WSK has been advising several companies regarding changes in health care financing. Though many employers are complaining about perceived rising costs as a result of the Affordable Care Act, WSK has a different perspective, looking for opportunities and helping clients take advantage of those opportunities.

The firm strives to understand the needs of the client and puts its resources to work to ensure the best outcome possible. The firm maintains a diverse and progressive workplace which encourages the entire staff to focus intellectual agility on every matter. This has resulted in the firm’s attorneys receiving broad recognition for excellence in such peer reviews as Super Lawyers®, Best in the Bar and Martindale-Hubbell® listings.

Even the newest, best and most sophisticated capital equipment isn’t of much use if it isn’t being used appropriately or working properly. Yet many organizations lack the necessary processes, organizational structure and technology to take full advantage of their production assets and keep them in optimal condition.

A partner like Cohesive Information Solutions makes a world of difference for organizations looking to achieve operational excellence through optimization of their asset reliability and availability.

The Kennesaw, Ga.-based company has been helping organizations apply industry best practices for enterprise asset management (EAM) and optimize their EAM technologies since 1998. It serves a variety of asset-intensive industries, including energy and utilities, by offering unique solutions aimed at improving physical asset reliability while reducing the associated costs of maintenance.

“We are experts in enterprise asset management,” explains Cohesive President George Lowry. “What we do is help companies optimize their production operations through the implementation of reliability-based work management processes and effective use of their related technology investments.”

For most customers this means using an EAM solution like Maximo®, an IBM software tool that helps organizations “catalog their assets and implement maintenance strategies to ensure their assets are always in working order,” Lowry says. Cohesive is an IBM premier business partner and North America’s number one Maximo reseller to commercial markets.

The company provides end-to-end Maximo services, from software sales, consulting and implementation services, to ongoing support and license maintenance.

Bridging the Gap Between Business and Technology
Cohesive’s industry experts – “individuals who have actually sat on the customer’s side of the table,” Lowry says – serve customers in diverse industries including utilities, energy, aerospace and defense, manufacturing, education and public sector agencies. “One of our recent energy customers, which moves natural gas, was using antiquated asset management technology and had very immature asset management practices – and, in some cases, no asset management practices at all,” Lowry says. “Some of their people were basically working from tribal knowledge. Since becoming a customer, the company has been using Maximo to improve their enterprise asset management program efficiency. The result is better equipment reliability, optimized workforce performance and full visibility of their related costs.”

Ultimately, Lowry says, it’s all about applying and managing the process changes that enable bridges to be built between business goals and related technology investments. “Deploying the technology is the easy part. The real challenge is embedding the appropriate EAM business practices and sustaining them. Those who focus on following the process and using the technology appropriately have much greater potential of achieving their operational goals.”

Succeeding in a business that involves lending money is a two-step process. First, learn everything there is to know about lending. And second, seek an experienced technology professional who can provide the foundation for that lending. Preferably, Allied Business Systems (ABS), the leader in financial software.

For nearly 35 years, hundreds of companies have turned to ABS for high-quality, cost-effective loan origination software solutions. “Our software offers direct and indirect loans, sales finance, real estate with escrow, plus many other types of loans,” says Billy Cutshaw, president and CEO. “If a business lends money, we have the experience and expertise to meet its needs. Our products cover the entire loan process: application, loan decision and origination, collection, solicitation and general ledger.”

As a pioneer in both the types and number of services offered, ABS is constantly creating new ways to improve client efficiency. For instance, when all branches of a business operate with exclusive ABS software solutions, the result is typically higher profits for every branch as well as the entire company.

ABS has a history of providing quality products that give its clients a competitive advantage. Other software packages can’t compete with the ease of use and complete synergy offered by absVision® and absSterling Loan Management Technology®.

Taking Service to the Highest Level
But it’s not just software, it’s also service that sets ABS apart. The firm’s employees are second to none in willingness, loyalty and innovation, with a deep and comprehensive knowledge of lending that includes areas like delinquency, solicitation, earnings and more. The ABS staff routinely comes through with time- and money-saving solutions that keep clients ahead of the game.

“As president and CEO, I strive to lead with honesty, integrity and a strong work ethic,” says Cutshaw. “Our company motto is, ‘Our Client’s Success Is Our Success.’ We don’t just follow it, we live it fully – every day. We understand that in order for our clients to be successful, they must have a solid foundation on which to conduct their business. That’s what we’re all about. That’s what our software and our service provide.”

How do you choose the best health plan for your family or your employees when most plans today are basically the same? How do you distinguish one health plan from another as benefits and pricing become increasingly homogeneous?

It’s a dilemma for individuals and employers everywhere. But not for the growing number of people and small companies in Georgia that have made Alliant Health Plans their clear choice. The not-for-profit, boutique health insurer is based in Dalton, with operations in Kennesaw, Georgia.

A niche player from the start – “We have never tried to be all things to all people,” says Al Ertel, chief operating officer – Alliant focuses exclusively on serving the needs of small businesses and individuals.

“What really sets us apart is our people – and the service they provide to every one of our plan members,” says Emma Stacey Leigh, senior sales executive and government affairs liaison. “We do everything possible to provide a hassle-free experience, and our members appreciate it.”

“Phone calls are answered by people who address the issue at hand quickly and efficiently,” Leigh says, “with critical customer service matters referred to the highest level of management as appropriate. We are a not-for-profit company. We don’t have constant shareholder pressures to influence decisions. Instead, we focus on providing the best value for the premiums paid by our hard-working members.”

Provider-Owned, Georgia-Based
Alliant was founded in Northwest Georgia by medical providers 15 years ago. The organization remains provider owned and Georgia based, entering additional markets in the state at the request of other provider organizations.

“We try very hard not to get in the way of the doctor-patient relationship,” says Mark Mixer, vice president of sales and marketing. “We believe in allowing the clinical professionals to do what they do best: treat patients. As a result, we enjoy a true partnership with our physicians and hospitals.”

Alliant is careful to choose only seasoned professional insurance agents to represent it in the marketplace, and is committed to not competing with them. “It’s part of our commitment to the communities we serve,” Ertel explains, “and an approach taken by no other insurance carrier. Additionally, our commitment to helping people is led by our long-term staff tenure. The average employee has been with the company for 10 years.”

“Everyone should compare prices and plan offerings when choosing a health insurance company. That goes without saying,” Mixer says. “But when these are equal, what really matters is exceptional service.”

The opening of the WorkingBuildings office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is the latest in a series of expansions of the Atlanta-based Owner’s Representative firm. With offices located across the continental United States, this expansion is a logical next step for the 13-year-old team of engineers, architects, and sustainability consultants.

“As the world globalizes rapidly, owners are challenged to deliver complex design and construction projects based on regional realities and resources,” says WorkingBuildings Managing Principal and President Michael L. Weiss, PhD, ABD, HCCP. “Understanding best practices across the globe and modifying them to meet local needs without sacrificing performance or requirements are tasks few firms have accomplished and WorkingBuildings excels at. We are brought on to share our substantial understanding of how buildings should work on projects throughout North America, the Middle East, South America, the Pacific Rim and Asia proper.”

Weiss founded the employee-owned company in the late 1990s with a single $1,700 contract. With five divisions, WorkingBuildings, WorkingLaboratories, WorkingHospitals, WB Global Advisory, and CxAlloy Software Solutions, and with regional offices spread across nine states and two continents, it is now on the Inc. 500/5000 2012 list of the nation’s fastest-growing privately held companies.

The company’s meteoric rise in a competitive global marketplace is due to its unique approach to owner representation – an approach that covers every aspect of the most complex, mission-critical facilities from planning through operation. “We lead owners through the big picture while we focus on the details,” says Weiss. “In the end, they have a facility, a campus, or even an entire portfolio that operates as envisioned. We’ve even acted as operators for complex projects after close-out, allowing owners to concentrate on their core service.”

WorkingBuildings brings together a multidisciplinary team of internationally recognized thought leaders in their areas of expertise who introduce best practices from around the world. “Through our leadership and innovative products like quality management software that is now the gold standard in the field, our team is actively setting the benchmarks for optimal building operations worldwide,” says Weiss.

WorkingBuildings’ leadership is perhaps nowhere more apparent than in the fields of sustainability and compliance. Delivering over 200 LEED-rated buildings, it is the recipient of the President’s Award for its work with the Sandia National Laboratory. It is the official Sustainability Sponsor of the 2012 Cityscape Riyadh Summit, where Weiss was a keynote speaker and hosted an award ceremony. WorkingBuildings recently agreed to work with Brazil’s primary biosafety organization, ANBio, to develop a program to audit and help manage and control the numerous biosafety issues in hospital and laboratory environments.

“We are redefining the traditional role of the project consultant to perform as a sustainability advocate for the owner,” Weiss says. “For instance, we urge that any green practices be coupled with return on investment. If there is no ROI, it’s not sustainable.”

Especially manufacturers and marketers tasked with shipping countless products all over the world. Customers are eagerly waiting for their packages, and that’s what fulfillment is all about. It is the art and science of getting those orders from the warehouse and into the customer’s hands.

Making it happen is a family-run company just outside of Atlanta, Georgia. When someone places an order, Fulfillment Services International (FSI) picks the items from its warehouses, packs them for safe transit and ships them to one of over 170 countries. For clients needing mass-produced kits, FSI assembles them for packing and shipping.

FSI has the capacity to accommodate megacorporations with thousands of orders per day, yet is small enough to work with start-ups. Unlike typical fulfillment providers that require minimum volumes, FSI likes to look at the client’s potential, knowing the payoff can be huge when a new product takes off.

“Many of our largest clients started out small, and we’ve grown together,” says Forrest Marbutt, VP and General Manager. “Rather than forcing clients into a cookie-cutter mold, we offer custom solutions that create valuable opportunities. Maybe that means a custom database application or online reporting solution on the IT side, or maybe it means a streamlined process on the operations side. Because we can do that, the result is continued growth from clients who can’t find these services elsewhere.”

Tracking Packages Like Never Before
One of FSI’s most innovative developments is FSI Track, an online package-tracking tool that allows clients to track the status of their kit-packing jobs all at once, instead of one at a time. Designed by the company’s in-house IT staff, FSI Track lets clients see which kits have been delivered and which are still in transit. It’s one thing to tell a client whether a particular package was delivered. It’s quite another to say, “Of those 10,000 shipments, here are the 10 that are still in transit.” It’s a big reason so many clients send their kit-packing jobs to FSI.

An order accuracy rate of 99.9 percent doesn’t hurt, either. Nor does the fact that FSI is a family-oriented business. Employees have been with the company an average of seven years, almost unheard of for a 16-year-old business. FSI has made Inc. magazine’s list of the 5000 fastest growing private companies for four years running.

How do they do it? “We’re big enough to handle whatever our clients throw at us,” says Marbutt, “and small enough that our clients won’t get lost in a sea of other clients. Through teamwork and a can-do attitude, we get the job done right and on time. We understand the bigger picture and treat our clients and employees as if they’re going to be with us forever.”

“It doesn’t matter what technology a company uses,” says Darrell Rodgers, president of Emerald Data Networks, Inc. “I’m vendor agnostic. The important thing is that a company’s technology achieves its business objectives.”

The Atlanta-based IT firm works with businesses of a variety of types and sizes, on both an ongoing and project basis, setting up data networks, implementing communication solutions, installing security and audiovisual systems.

Often that means working with and building on technology already in place. Other times it means starting from scratch. “I approach every customer as a unique situation,” Rodgers says.

For example, the company recently replaced an Atlanta bakery’s 15-year-old phone system with an up-to-date VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) system. “Now they can call internally to their five stores in the metro area without paying for outside phone lines; they save money every month,” Rodgers says. “They can also transfer calls between sites, monitor phone availability at each site and make do with less staff without missing a call at any of their stores.” The new system also allows the bakery to add new sites anywhere in the world it wishes.

The owner of a manufacturing company is now able to oversee his workers and monitor all systems – whether off site with a client or while relaxing on the back porch of his lake house. “He can even make phone calls that appear to be coming from the office,” Rodgers says.

Some clients want EDN to do everything technology-related for them, including managing subcontractors. Others, including Delta Air Lines and Black Box International, have special projects that require EDN’s specific expertise.

The Business Technology People
“While most people think of technology as an expense, I know better,” says Rodgers. Instead of trying to persuade customers they need to upgrade their software or buy a new server, EDN holds planning meetings with clients every year to determine how to achieve their business goals. “With the right technology,” Rodgers explains, “employees can do their jobs faster and better, and a company is much more likely to be successful. That’s why we’re vendor agnostic. We are achievement people, not salespeople.”

While looking for effective strategies to retain and reward the best employees, HR professionals are simultaneously challenged to offset inevitable increases in the cost of employee health benefits, comply with historic legislative changes such as PPACA and find the right mix of benefits options. “The issue has been escalating for more than three decades,” says Scott Hankins, president and CEO of ShawHankins, Inc., one of the leading employee benefits firms in the Southeast.“Employers have adopted numerous strategies to control costs such as changing plan designs, shifting costs to employees, enhancing technology and better utilization management. These strategies have been helpful but cannot produce enough long-term improvements in the cost of employee health care and coverage.”

According to Hankins, a common-sense solution has been hiding in plain sight. “The industry has been slow to recognize the value of implementing a well-designed, comprehensive worksite wellness program. These programs address the underlying problem of employees’ and dependents’ poor health status. Worksite wellness programs provide a measurable return on investment that continues to be realized year after year.”

ShawHankins’ experience with over 400 clients in the region over several years confirms wellness programs definitely are bending the medical cost trends downward. A 700-employee public sector organization asked ShawHankins to analyze its health care program and learned that far too few employees underwent important screenings such as mammograms or PSA tests.

ShawHankins’ recommendation to start a wellness program led to a 10 percent reduction in claims and savings in overall employee health care costs of $800,000 on an eight million dollar budget in the first year. After the ShawHankins team oversaw the opening of a complete on-site wellness clinic the following year, the client continued to enjoy reductions in costs and no increase in liability.

“On-site health clinics are a platform for the wellness plans to create opportunities for savings with every visit and every prescription,” explains Hankins. “And as employees find it easier to be followed intensely by their healthcare professional team, they are more apt to identify early signs of conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Early intervention is significant because in any given year the majority of high-cost medical claimants didn’t realize they had medical conditions the year before.”

ShawHankins is based in Cartersville, GA, and has offices in Albany, Cumming, Rome and St. Simons Island, GA, and Birmingham, AL.For information please contact Kathryn Bryant, Business Development Director, at 678.535.6363 or 800.994.7429.ShawHankins, Inc. celebrates 50 years as a market leader in employee benefits

It’s the retirement setting so many dream of: gently winding streets and walking trails on a lush 28-acre campus. Cocktails on the terrace. Exercise with a personal trainer. Exquisite dining. Activities for every interest. Everything a retiree could need or want.

Welcome to The Village at Germantown, a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) located just outside Memphis in the idyllic town of Germantown. Here in this calm, carefree oasis, residents are free to pursue their dreams, enhance their well-being and leave everyday concerns behind.

“Our residents can do it all here,” says Village Marketing Director Pam Leet. “Surrounded by a culture of wellness, they’re more apt to stay motivated and get the full benefit of our programs. Many say it reminds them of life on a cruise ship, but it’s also home.”

Abundant Living at Every Stage of Retirement
As a CCRC, the Village combines independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing care. Thus, residents can “age in place” in their spacious apartments and luxurious, two-bedroom villas without ever having to move or worry about home maintenance or repair.

Opportunities for fun, friendship and fulfillment abound: a clubhouse, an on-site movie theater, a woodworking shop and a resident garden, just to name a few. With a wealth of programs and activities—along with a fully equipped fitness center and exercise classes designed by Methodist Healthcare—The Village aims to help residents stay fit, active and engaged for many years to come.

Healthcare Resources Are Second to None
The Village’s Skilled Nursing Center has become the short-term rehabilitation site of choice for many Germantown-area orthopedists, thanks to its private rooms and low staff-to-patient ratio.

“We have a team of qualified physical, occupational and speech therapists to assist those who need help with regaining mobility and relearning basic daily living skills interrupted by stroke, accidents, surgery or other conditions,” says Village Health Center Administrator Sally Ostheimer. “We’re proud that more than 80 percent of our short-term rehabilitation residents return to a higher level of mobility.
Our mission is to help retirees continue to age successfully.”

“Every detail of our campus–underground parking, personal outdoor balcony or patio for every Independent Living residence, a new aquatics and wellness center, wonderful dining venues, a club room, and other beautifully appointed public spaces–has been designed with our residents’ tastes in mind.”

]]>http://forbescustom.com/marketplace/redstonevillage/feed/0Danberry at Invernesshttp://forbescustom.com/marketplace/danberryatinverness/
http://forbescustom.com/marketplace/danberryatinverness/#commentsMon, 28 Jan 2013 01:00:21 +0000http://www.eminetwork.com/marketplace/the-village-at-germantown/Continue reading →]]>Celebrate Life With a New Style of Retirement Community

Today’s retirees aren’t willing to settle for traditional senior living, nor should they. They’re highly educated, world travelers and accustomed to the finer things in life. They expect their chosen address to reflect that. Danberry at Inverness understands and has set the bar for today’s more aptly named “lifestyle communities,” says Lori Krueger, Danberry Marketing Director.

Danberry at Inverness is a Daniel Corporation community, located just outside of Birmingham in Hoover, Ala. It’s a unique community that reflects a complete break from ordinary senior living, says Krueger. “We’re a full-service community with dozens of opportunities to stay active and engaged.” Danberry at Inverness offers a wide range of first-class amenities and services, including chef-prepared meals, an indoor saltwater swimming pool, exercise classes and state-of-the-art fitness equipment, a full-service spa, a pub, educational and cultural programs, concierge service and personal Town Car transportation.

Celebrating Life with Style
Danberry at Inverness offers the choice of cottage ownership or apartment rental for its independent living residents. Neither requires a large entrance fee up front, says Krueger. “This is a significant benefit in an economy where people may be having trouble selling their previous homes,” she adds. Private assisted living suites are also available with the same level of exceptional design and natural flair, offering 24-hour nursing supervision.

The atrium lobby features a fireplace, waterfall, stained-glass windows and a European feel that is echoed throughout the community. “It sets the mood for a retirement lifestyle emphasizing natural beauty and personal fulfillment,” says Krueger. “Who wouldn’t want to enjoy every day as if you are on a vacation in a wonderful resort with everything?”235 Inverness Center DriveHoover, AL 35242205-443-9500www.DanberryAtInverness.com

For many financial professionals – and their clients – financial planning is largely a numbers game. Take some numbers and statistics, run them through sophisticated software, and, voilà, you have a plan to retire with confidence, fund a college education or achieve any other financial goal imaginable.

To the advisors at Klem, Gentry & Torbett, financial planning is not just a science, but an art, less about number crunching and more about listening. “It takes more than computers, databases and Internet connections to be a successful financial planner,” says advisor Craig Torbett, CFP®, CDFA™. “In our experience, it takes insight, understanding and a strong dose of compassion to create a plan to meet clients’ dreams and adapt to changing needs and goals over time.”

It also takes a team – a team of three experienced professionals working closely together for the benefit of each client.

At Klem, Gentry & Torbett, every client benefits from the collective wisdom and experience of all three partners, who bring to bear varied viewpoints and perspectives as they review the client’s situation and recommend strategies designed to achieve his or her unique goals.

With 45 years’ combined experience in the industry, Calvin Klem, Charles Gentry and Craig Torbett are well versed in tackling some of the thorniest planning challenges involving retirement income, estate planning, charitable giving, insurance and many other areas of concern. Working together, they are an exceptional resource.

All are backed by a team of professionals at Ameriprise, a financially strong company since 1894. Their collaborative approach extends, at the client’s discretion, to the client’s other advisors such as attorneys and CPAs, and multiple generations of family members. Every Season Is Tax Season “At Klem, Gentry & Torbett, it’s always tax season.” According to Klem, the partners are always on the lookout for ways to improve clients’ tax efficiencies. “Decisions made now about charitable giving, education assets or retirement plans can pay off later.”

What really sets the practice apart is its team approach. “Our clients enjoy tremendous peace of mind knowing they have a plan in place and that there is always someone available who is familiar with their situation,” says Gentry. “In fact, this continuity is one of the primary reasons people like doing business with us. All of our clients are truly shared clients. That’s rare in this industry.”

*The “Medical Economics Best Financial Advisor” listing (obtained by Craig Torbett) features only financial advisors who have paid a fee to be included. Other selection criteria include years of experience, industry credentials, assets under management and compliance record. No client survey is involved. Ameriprise Financial and its representatives do not provide tax or legal advice. Consult your tax advisor or attorney regarding specific tax issues. Brokerage, investment and financial advisory services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. 147010ACMR1112

With short-term volatility in the stock market higher today than even in the days immediately after the 9-11 terror attacks, many people are scurrying to find the most conservative places to invest their money or, worse yet, giving up and burying their heads in the sand. “It’s often hard to explain to new clients that their ‘safe’ investments might provide a false sense of security,” says Stanley Bilsky, CIMA®, Senior Vice President, Wealth Advisor of The Bilsky Group at Morgan Stanley. “Without a comprehensive plan to help manage all aspects of their financial lives, they are potentially increasing their risk of running out of assets.”

Bilsky and his partner, Becky Bridgmon, CFP®, Vice President, Financial Advisor, take high-net-worth families who are looking for security and predictability through a systematic process that addresses every aspect of their financial lives. “Potential clients tell us they lose sleep at night worrying about having enough income to enjoy a quality retirement lifestyle, or to fund their children’s education and create a lasting legacy,” explains Bridgmon. “We work with them to set a realistic, wide-ranging strategy that is customized specifically to help accomplish their unique goals. We also call on respected attorneys and CPAs to assist with estate planning and efficient strategies to help avoid overpaying taxes like the Tennessee Hall Tax.”

According to Bilsky, a comprehensive financial strategy helps families become more confident they will likely avoid devastating pitfalls, even if the plan includes a little higher risk than ultra-conservative approaches. “Cutting-edge investment strategies can help take the sting out of market swings and preserve long-term investments,” explains Bilsky, who has been guiding investors through bear, bull, boom and bust markets for four decades. “We love educating our clients about our recommendations. It’s a time-consuming process, but nothing is more satisfying than assisting a client who has trusted us to help manage their assets.”

Ultimately, responsive service is The Bilsky Group’s trademark. “Our clients appreciate that we are service driven, not product driven. We view our role as helping to support and protect our clients’ best interests with dedication and integrity,” says Bridgmon. “It’s not unusual for clients to ask for advice on a wide range of issues including major purchases or lifestyle decisions, and we often serve as our clients’ strongest advocates when complex problems arise. We believe this type of service creates loyalty among our clients. We have many clients who have been working with our practice for over 30 years. Our relationships with clients don’t stop at one family member; they span generations.”

Stanley Bilsky and Becky Bridgmon are Financial Advisors with the Wealth Management division of Morgan Stanley in Memphis, TN. The views expressed herein are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Member SIPC. Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors contracted with EMI Network, Inc. to feature this promotion in Forbes magazine. The named Financial Advisors may only transact business in states where they are registered or excluded or exempted from registration. www.morganstanleyfa.com/thebilskygroup/. Transacting business, follow-up and individualized responses involving either effecting or attempting to effect transactions in securities, or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, will not be made to persons in states where they are not registered or excluded or exempt from registration. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be suitable for all investors. Investment Management Consultants Association, Inc. owns the marks CIMA®, Certified Investment Management AnalystSM (with graph element)®, and Certified Investment Management AnalystSM. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

McAdams Tax Advisory Group Uses a Unique and Compelling Approach to Help Clients

For a company focused on finance, McAdams Tax Advisory Group looks like a company focused on people, family and community.
“We do a lot of things that would never be expected and completely wow our clients,” says David McAdams, founder. “We regularly ask ourselves what we can do to go above and beyond a client’s service expectations.”

A recent example involved a seriously ill client. The family was in town. McAdams found out and catered food to the family so they could be together during a difficult time. It also shows in seminars designed not to get new clients but to help current ones. And it’s there when the customer service department regularly calls clients to ask if changes to their circumstances call for any adjustments.
Clients’ primary expectation, of course, is solid financial guidance.
McAdams Tax Advisory Group provides that, and in unique ways. McAdams follows a defensive reduced-risk strategy that may fit the needs of clients, many of whom are retired or are nearing retirement.

The company is independent and free to recommend what advisors David McAdams, Gary Osing and Richard Burt consider among the best for clients.
“We’re not married to anything, so our recommendations depend on the clients’ needs and the environment,” McAdams says. “We use the entire universe of strategies, often outside of the stock market. Many choices may earn interest income or dividends but don’t have the same type of volatility you would see in stocks or stock mutual funds.”

Depending on rates, investments could include fixed-rate bank CDs, fixed annuities, government bonds, insured municipal bonds, corporate bonds, preferred stocks, real estate investment trusts, secured debt programs, royalty programs and equipment leasing programs. “Why stick strictly to stocks and bonds when there may be many other ways to help people reduce risk and work towards making money?” McAdams asks.
McAdams Tax Advisory Group offers clients a wealth of services under one roof. The advisors can help clients with taxes, investments, income planning, power of attorney, insurance, wills, trusts and long-term care provisions. “We plan the entire program,” McAdams says. “There’s really nothing we can’t do, by ourselves or working with their other advisors, to help our clients.”
David McAdams also trains financial professionals, and has trained hundreds of advisors across the country.

His company also educates clients. McAdams says, “We don’t implement anything until all of their questions have been asked and answered, and we both agree this makes sense for them. We don’t make any move until our clients give us the green light.”

McAdams Tax Advisory Group, LLC is independent of and Securities offered through WFG Investments, Inc. (WFG), member FINRA & SIPC. Registered Representatives of WFG. WFG is not in the business of giving tax advice, preparation and/or legal advice, and is not responsible for any outside business or persons providing such services.

For many financial professionals – and their clients – financial planning is largely a numbers game. Take some numbers and statistics, run them through sophisticated software, and, voilà, you have a plan to retire with confidence, fund a college education or achieve any other financial goal imaginable.

To the advisors at Klem, Gentry & Torbett, financial planning is not just a science, but an art, less about number crunching and more about listening. “It takes more than computers, databases and Internet connections to be a successful financial planner,” says advisor Craig Torbett, CFP®, CDFA™. “In our experience, it takes insight, understanding and a strong dose of compassion to create a plan to meet clients’ dreams and adapt to changing needs and goals over time.”

It also takes a team – a team of three experienced professionals working closely together for the benefit of each client.

At Klem, Gentry & Torbett, every client benefits from the collective wisdom and experience of all three partners, who bring to bear varied viewpoints and perspectives as they review the client’s situation and recommend strategies designed to achieve his or her unique goals.

With 45 years’ combined experience in the industry, Calvin Klem, Charles Gentry and Craig Torbett are well versed in tackling some of the thorniest planning challenges involving retirement income, estate planning, charitable giving, insurance and many other areas of concern. Working together, they are an exceptional resource.

All are backed by a team of professionals at Ameriprise, a financially strong company since 1894. Their collaborative approach extends, at the client’s discretion, to the client’s other advisors such as attorneys and CPAs, and multiple generations of family members. Every Season Is Tax Season “At Klem, Gentry & Torbett, it’s always tax season.” According to Klem, the partners are always on the lookout for ways to improve clients’ tax efficiencies. “Decisions made now about charitable giving, education assets or retirement plans can pay off later.”

What really sets the practice apart is its team approach. “Our clients enjoy tremendous peace of mind knowing they have a plan in place and that there is always someone available who is familiar with their situation,” says Gentry. “In fact, this continuity is one of the primary reasons people like doing business with us. All of our clients are truly shared clients. That’s rare in this industry.”

*The “Medical Economics Best Financial Advisor” listing (obtained by Craig Torbett) features only financial advisors who have paid a fee to be included. Other selection criteria include years of experience, industry credentials, assets under management and compliance record. No client survey is involved. Ameriprise Financial and its representatives do not provide tax or legal advice. Consult your tax advisor or attorney regarding specific tax issues. Brokerage, investment and financial advisory services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. 147010ACMR1112

They’re the largest and arguably the most influential generation in history, pacesetters and tastemakers in everything from music to politics, fashion to fitness. Now, as millions of baby boomers prepare to retire, they need someone to show them the way – a trusted partner with the expertise and experience to help them make the most of their retirement years. For many in Tennessee and beyond, that partner is the team at Swain Wealth Partners.

The advisors at Swain Wealth Partners have been serving the needs of retirees and pre-retirees for over 65 combined years, providing objective, fee-based wealth management designed to help them enjoy a confident retirement on their terms. They also serve younger clients who need help with wealth accumulation, college planning, estate planning, insurance planning and other concerns. “Our team approach allows us to provide custom service to every client and to deliver on our promise to offer rigorous, disciplined wealth management aimed at pursuing a higher level of predictability,”says financial advisor Mike Swain, CFP®, managing partner.

The advisors of Swain Wealth Partners are registered with Raymond James Financial Services and can offer the resources of a large national firm, with the personalized service of a smaller one. “Because we’re independent, we’re able to choose the most appropriate solutions for each client based on the individual’s needs, without having to follow the recommendations of a parent firm,” says financial advisor Philip Moser. Still, the advisors value their relationship with Raymond James, which, Swain says, offers “the products, the services and the technical advantages” needed to do the best possible job for clients.

The advisors generally favor investments that produce consistent income, particularly for clients who are retired.

Focus on Partnerships Swain Wealth Partners is designed to highlight team members’ focus on partnering – with one another and, especially, with clients. “Our clients rely on us to communicate complex ideas using simple language – and to reach out to them on a regular basis,” Swain says. Team members meet regularly with clients to monitor the progress of their plans and make any necessary adjustments. “Our clients’ goals and objectives are our goals and objectives. The better they do, the better we do.”

Providing for the Providers MedManagement, LLC Takes a Burden off Health Care Facilities and Professionals

Patients have always looked to hospitals and physicians for solutions to their problems. Where do hospitals and physicians go for solutions to their health care compliance issues? When it comes to medical necessity compliance, more and more hospitals and providers are turning to MedManagement for physician advisor services as the solution. Founded in 1996, MedManagement has trained, board-certified physician advisors available on a 24/7 basis to meet needs for concurrent, critical questions such as level-of-care determinations, as well as physician advisors to address audit response efforts, appeals and internal compliance efforts.

“We are a physician advisor company that addresses medical necessity issues and assists hospitals and providers with compliance,” says Joan Ragsdale, Chief Executive Officer. “Level-of-care determinations (inpatient vs. outpatient), responses to auditors such as recovery audit program contractors (RACs), and internal compliance programs to identify and correct errors are critical in today’s environment. Real-time physician advisor assistance can be an enormous asset because it allows informed, sustained focus on compliance with each service for each patient. When an appeal response is required, the response is specific to each case and is grounded in the clinical standards as applied to each patient.”

MedManagement was created to give providers the tools and resources to raise their compliance and documentation to a new level of efficiency. It has received Health Utilization Management accreditation from URAC, a nationally recognized nonprofit organization that promotes health care quality through its accreditation and certification programs.

By using trained, board-certified, practicing physicians who have made themselves available for dedicated blocks of time, MedManagement is able to offer outstanding advisory expertise. Its training program for physician advisors is unparalleled, as is its training of facility staff and internal physician advisors. MedManagement’s educational programs emphasize the patterns, trends and issues identified in each specific facility.

The company is as responsive as it is knowledgeable. Hospitals contacting MedManagement get to speak to an actual person, 24/7. The turnaround times are exceptional, as indicated by regular tracking and reporting. Currently, the company has clients in 16 states and is constantly expanding.

“As one of the founders of MedManagement, it has been a privilege and honor to work with this incredibly talented staff and to watch them grow and develop,” says Ragsdale. “We stress quality, excellence and service at every point in the process. We take great satisfaction from meeting with clients, understanding their needs and helping to make a difference for everyone involved.”